Newcastle are closing in on the signings of two players today – Palermo left-back Achraf Lazaar and Chelsea right winger Christian Atsu.
In yesterday’s press conference for the game against Brighton today, some of those names were brought up to Rafa Benitez, but of course he didn’t take the bait and refused to talk about specific players Newcastle may be after.
It still looks like Rafa wants a left back, a winger and a striker brought in before Thursday and if we can get those two players through the door it will only leave a striker to be brought in.
24 year-old Palermo left-back Achraf Lazaar
Newcastle have been heavily linked with 22 year-old Utrecht striker Sebastien Haller over the last couple of weeks and he could be arriving soon.
Moroccan International Lazaar could be the first through the door with news yesterday that he has agreed a five year deal at just £3M and there were some reports last night he is on his way to Newcastle for a medical.
That follows a meeting in Newcastle yesterday between Managing Director Lee Charnley and Lazaar’s agent.
The full-back is in the final year of his contract at Palermo and will leave the club this summer.
Newcastle have also been linked with Chelsea winger Christian Atsu for a couple of days now, with those rumors intensifying and Rafa wants the winger on loan for the season with an option to buy.
The Ghanaian International was the Player of the Tournament and scored the Goal of the Tournament in the 2015 African Cup of Nations and he looks a good player.
24 year-old Chelsea winger Christian Atsu
Chelsea paid £3.5M for him when he signed on from Porto two years ago.
Utrecht striker Sebastien Haller has played for all of the French Youth sides including 14 appearances for the U-21 side with 9 goals and there was news yesterday that Newcastle may have bid £6M for the young French striker, but it was turned down.
If that’s true, we would expect Newcastle to increase the bid and there was news earlier in the week that Rafa has talked personally with the Frenchman about joining Newcastle.
22 year-old Utrecht striker Sebastien Haller
He joined Utrecht last summer from Auxerre and scored 24 goals in 40 appearances last season and in 57 total appearances for Utrecht he has scored 35 goals over the last 18 months.
Those certainly seem to be the three players Newcastle are closest to signing, but there could always be some surprises.
27 year-old Brentford midfielder Alan Judge
Negotiations are also said to be ongoing with Brentford midfielder Alan Judge, but it’s not clear if Newcastle want to sign the 27 year-old now or wait until the double fracture of his right leg has fully healed.
Brentford manager Dean Smith thinks Judge will still be at Brentford come September, but Newcastle could sign a pre-contract agreement and sign the Irish International in January – that’s always a possibility.
Rafa hinted at deals in the offing yesterday when he said this:
“We are trying very hard and we have been monitoring players, but sometimes it depends on offers, wages, agents.”
“We can afford players if it is necessary, but sometimes it is not easy because they won’t come to the Championship or they are in the Champions League.”
“We have to do some deals.”
Getting those three players in and Alan Judge too would be another four very good signings for Newcastle and our squad would look very strong.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
WWSBRD
Aug 27, 2016 at 9:49 AM
Comment #1Rafa said it’s an experienced striker coming in so I can’t see that being Haller at this point, could be wrong he’s played a few games just seems too young for the level of experience Rafa is after
Slank
Aug 27, 2016 at 9:51 AM
Comment #2REPOST
WWSBRD
Yes I agree with you that logic dictates that Rafa should have selected Rivière whilst Mitrovich served his banishment but unless Rivière was injured or not match fit then Rafa has seen something in training that we are not privy to or he judged that the strike force he did select in previous games were preferable to having Rivière in the side.
We will soon see.
WWSBRD
Aug 27, 2016 at 9:51 AM
Comment #3Slank
Why do u think Rivi has a chance of playing mate? Has Rafa implied he is in contention? I’ve not seen his name mention in any other piece than about him moving back to France
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 27, 2016 at 9:52 AM
Comment #4Id take those four. Judge injured but i think that would complete the jigsaw until Jan.
davetoon
Aug 27, 2016 at 9:55 AM
Comment #5Wouldve liked us to enquire about joel campbell before he went on loan to lisbon.
WWSBRD
Aug 27, 2016 at 10:00 AM
Comment #6Haha Sissoko has spoken again, at this point he’s just embarrassing himself
Mister Tuff
Aug 27, 2016 at 10:01 AM
Comment #7Think we’ll get beat today 2 – 1.
toontaff2
Aug 27, 2016 at 10:03 AM
Comment #8I was hoping Ed had unearthed a few more Gouffrans………..
davetoon
Aug 27, 2016 at 10:04 AM
Comment #9Can’t see us conceding 2 at home but if we do we are in trouble. Think we will win 2-1 or concede late goal for 1-1 draw
SPRINGY
Aug 27, 2016 at 10:07 AM
Comment #10palace,west brom and everton apparently all want sissoko…..again,hmmm what happened to real,juve,inter and dortmund??….west brom… remember there hard nosed stance on berahino when we were meant to be interested, roughly about the same stage in the transfer window as it is now but back in january….cant see that happening,but would creased if sissoko ended up there or palace,everton have money, so theres a chance of a move there though….but could be all bull.
Jib
Aug 27, 2016 at 10:08 AM
Comment #11If you look at these training fotos
from the last 24 hrs.
I think perhaps Riviere and Tiote could be involved this evening at some time.
toontaff2
Aug 27, 2016 at 10:08 AM
Comment #12Tonight. there should be some real noise – 5.30pm kick offs mean plenty of time to get the stella in – let’s start fast and keep the crowd onside!
Our first true test, harder without Gayle, but we still should be good enough to beat them at home.
I hope we give Hoots a great welcome and then beat his team!